Mixology Monday: Christmas Cheer

Mixology Monday: Christmas Cheer

This round of Mixology Monday, kindly hosted by Kevin of Beers in the Shower, carries the theme of "Money Drinks." According to the MxMo announcement post, that means a drink with wide appeal -- and it also means a top shelf twist on a classic drink. My submission aims for both categories, with holiday festivity thrown in as well.

This drink -- dubbed Christmas Cheer -- features lemon and orange sour flavors with the earthy caramel appeal of dark rum, tempered with fizzy dry champagne. This combination results in a balanced taste that should appeal to a variety of palates. This drink is also money because of the esteemed pedigree of its base liquors. Finally, it plays on the currency of holiday punches in the cocktail scene, reducing the bowl of rum, citrus, sugar and fizz to a simple glass full of holiday cheer.

Christmas Cheer

2 oz aged rum (I used Cruzan dark rum)
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Juice of 1/2 orange
1/2 oz simple syrup
Brut champagne

Shake rum, Grand Marnier, juices and syrup together with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with champagne. If you like, garnish with a strip of orange or lemon.